The BBC's flagship dance competition , Strictly Come Dancing, is preparing for a significant transformation. A new trio of hosts and five additional professional dancers will lead the upcoming season.

The exit of Zoe Ball, Claudia Winkleman, and Tess Daly

A major shift in the presenting lineup will see Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe take over the microphone. This new trio is set to replace the long-standing presenting team of Zoe Ball, Claudia Winkleman, and Tess Daly. As the report states, this overhaul represents a fundamental change to the show's on-screen personality.

While the hosts are changing, the judging panel offers a sense of continuity. Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke, and Head Judge Shirley Ballas are all confirmed to return. This suggests the BBC is attempting to balance a complete presentation makeover with the stability of the show's established critiques.

Kateryna Klishyna and the search for a Nadiya Bychkova successor

The departure of Nadiya Bychkova in March has created a significant vacancy within the professional dance roster . After nine years with the program, Bychkova's exit has left a void that the BBC is looking to fill with high-caliber talent. According to the source, Ukrainian dancer Kateryna Klishyna has emerged as a primary candidate to step into this role.

Klishyna brings an international pedigree to the competition, having previously appeared on America's Dancing With The Stars and So You Think You Can Dance in Ukraine. Her audition was reportedly impressive enough to catch the eye of producers, leading to immediate comparisons between her style and that of Bychkova.

A 14-person veteran roster including Dianne Buswell and Amy Dowden

Despite the influx of new talent, the show will maintain a massive foundation of established professionals to ensure continuity. The upcoming lineup includes 14 returning dancers, such as Dianne Buswell, Amy Dowden, Aljaž Škorjanec, and Vito Coppola. Other familiar faces include Nancy Xu, Katya Jones, Julian Caillon, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Jowita Przystał, Kai Widdrington, and Lauren Oakley.

This heavy reliance on veteran dancers serves as a strategic stabilizer for the brand. By keeping the majority of the professional cast intact, the BBC can mitigate the risk associated with the simultaneous changes to the hosting and new dancer categories. This ensures that while the "face" of the show changes, the technical expertise and dance quality remain consistent for the viewers.

The 2026 roadmap for additional professional dancers

While the immediate cast changes are being finalized, the long-term evolution of the show is already in motion. Producers have confirmed that the professional lineup will exxpand again in 2026 with the addition of even more new dancers. However, several specifics remain unverified in the current reporting.

It remains unclaer exactly how many new dancers will be added in 2026 or who they might be. Furthermore, while Klishyna has been identified as a prominent addition, the finality of her contract remains a point of speculation rather than a confirmed fact. The show's ability to integrate these new personalities without losing its core audience remains the biggest question for the upcoming season.